Is there gender equality in Islam?

[tomtomsmom]

Ho tomtomsmon, you are so busted.
I just scratched you off my “I think she is totally great” list.

Well I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later^o)

But there is a problem if you are told you can’t dig the ditch. Even if ditch digging is the only way you can save tom from starving. You can’t dig the ditch, you have to witch your son die from starvation.
What if you lost your court case because your opponent was a man whose testimony was worth twice that of yours?
I have no problem with digging that ditch either. I doubt that I would hand my wife the shovel and I’m sure she would bring me a beer as I dig. But if I wasn’t capable of shoveling, I sure wouldn’t want her to be sent to jail for trying. That is nothing but sexist.

Ohh hell yes there is a problem if I can't. But can you show me exactly where in Islam it says I can't? Can you show me where it says that I couldn't do that to feed my son. Which off-topic that is a pretty low blow.

People are so often confusing religion with cultural traditions. Just because certain places allow this sort of behaviour does not in any way make it be the way Islam is supposed to be.

Please don't get my words twisted. Under no circumstances should women be opressed, nor men. If a man wants to be a seamstress or any other "woman" job then so be it. But it is not the religion that is opressing women. It is men who distort the religion to suit what they want it to be.

 

[wilberhum]

tomtomsmom

Under no circumstances should women be opressed, nor men. If a man wants to be a seamstress or any other "woman" job then so be it.

Thanks, you are back on my list.

 

[wilberhum]

Fi_Sabilillah
Once the door is opened to inequality and discrimination it becomes too easy to open it further. It is best to shut the door to inequality. At least that's my openion.

 

[Woodrow]

Islam does not say a Woman can not work, it says she can not be forced to. Plus if she does decide to work, any money she earns is under her full control and she has not obligation to do anything with it except what she wants to, as long as she does not spend it for haram purposes.

 

[wilberhum]

Fi_Sabilillah
Once the door is opened to inequality and discrimination it becomes too easy to open it further. It is best to shut the door to inequality. At least that's my openion.

Interesting. After this statement I saw:

Iranian women struggle for equality

I think that is kind of supports what I was saying.

 

[Talha777]

Islam does not say a Woman can not work

Assalamu alaikum. Well it depends on what kind of work. Obviously women's first duty is her home, kitchen, and taking care of her children and doing the chores for her husband. But this new trend I am beginning to see of women going to university and getting degrees for white collar jobs, etc., is frankly very distressing.

And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance (33:33)

 

[Pygoscelis]

Islam does not say a Woman can not work, it says she can not be forced to. Plus if she does decide to work, any money she earns is under her full control and she has not obligation to do anything with it except what she wants to, as long as she does not spend it for haram purposes.

Which is why its sexist. It doesn't afford the same privilege to men.

 

[AvarAllahNoor]

Maybe your claim would hold weight if it was prohibited in your own religion? You continously keep saying its prohibited, yet its you who's blind following as you say somethings prohibited in your faith - without even having any evidence for that.

It's just been proved to you in the other thread brother! As much as you want it to be permissable in Sikhi, it's not! Allah knows best, we just obey.

 

[AvarAllahNoor]

Assalamu alaikum. Well it depends on what kind of work. Obviously women's first duty is her home, kitchen, and taking care of her children and doing the chores for her husband. But this new trend I am beginning to see of women going to university and getting degrees for white collar jobs, etc., is frankly very distressing.

And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance (33:33)

lol - I'm glad they've seen sense and realised Allah has given them the same opportunity men do....

 

[Uthman]

One of the first things that I show any person who accuses Islam of degrading the status of women is this extract from Muhammad's (pbuh) last sermon:

O People,
It is true that you have certain rights in regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives, only under Allah's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

Ok, carry on.

 

[wilberhum]

Why would a woman working be "distressing"?
If a woman can't work and earn money she will have to stay under the control of a male who can.

Oh now I get it. A woman controling her own life. That is "distressing".

 

[AvarAllahNoor]

Why would a woman working be "distressing"?
If a woman can't work and earn money she will have to stay under the control of a male who can.

Oh now I get it. A woman controling her own life. That is "distressing".

LOL- It's infuriating isn't it? But i think a woman should be allowed to work if she so wishes. Should be a choice, rather than be told she's not to.

 

[- Qatada -]

It's so shocking isn't it? A woman doesn't need to work and her husband has to provide for her. Wow, that's so distressing. Kinda reminds me of the 'freedom of women' over this last century, and how they were treated as properties of their husbands, and had to change their surnames to become his property.

Now that things are so advanced, she can actually work herself! And not just that.. wait for it! he can even have an affair with another man so she can support her own children with that money she earns!


Kool! i'm living in such an advanced time?

 

[AvarAllahNoor]

It's so shocking isn't it? A woman doesn't need to work and her husband has to provide for her. Wow, that's so distressing. Kinda reminds me of the 'freedom of women' over this last century, and how they were treated as properties of their husbands, and had to change their surnames to become his property.

Now that things are so advanced, she can actually work herself! And not just that.. wait for it! he can even have an affair with another man so she can support her own children with that money she earns!


Kool! i'm living in such an advanced time?

LOL! - Love the sarcasm brother! - We follow what we believe to be true. We're always going to see things from different angles. :statisfie

Gur Fateh

 

[wilberhum]

Fi_Sabilillah
I thought better of you. I never thought you would distort the facts to such an degree.

 

[- Qatada -]

wilberhum, i never thought you were like that either. Maybe if you had an open mind for what we say, maybe we would do the same. However, it always seems like a one sided thing.

Anyway that's the reality, and we all know it. Yet some claim that today women have the most rights. Which really isn't the case.


Regards.

 

[Uthman]

Coincidentally, I came across the following article quite recently dealing with this topic: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=1734&sectionid=3510212
It isn't excessively long so please take the time to read it as it is very informative, written by a Muslim woman herself.

This actually brings me a point that I would like to make. That is, why do certain non-muslims feel the need to complain on the Muslim womans behalf? All the Muslim females that I have encountered dealing with this topic seem perfectly happy with the rules of Islam regarding.

I also wish to stress the point that both sides of this debate stem from different world views. The Islamic laws regarding gender are probably very alien to the 'westerner', and I would ask Muslims to understand that. By the same token, I think non-Muslims should understand that the western attitude to gender roles would be equally as alien to a Muslim who has not been brought up in the west.


Finally, I would like to remind the Muslim members taking part in this debate and in any other debate not to lose their temper and to remain respectful. Before saying anything, I always find it useful to think about Muhammad (pbuh) would approve of my saying it in that way.

And remember, "Speak a good word, or remain silent" - Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

 

[chris4336]

I just want to remind those who find the idea of Muslim women working "distressing" I would just like to point out that the Prophet's first wife, and one of the best Muslims who ever lived, ran her own successful business. She helped to finance his prophecy that brought Islam to the people.

 

[Muslim Woman]

Salaam/peace,

non-Muslims have so many misconception about polygamy. Let me try to explain.


1. Islam did not introduce it.

2. There was no maximum limit for taking wives in the past. Solomon (p) the wise had 1000 wives & concubines . Islam put a maximum limit with a strict condition......4 wives if can act justly.


3. It's not a must for a Muslim woman to tolerate co-wife. She can go for divorce .


4. polygamy is not a must......allowed if necessary. I wrote in other thread how a non-Muslim writer proudly wrote a book about his few dozens affairs. There he claimed that he is still capable of having young girlfriends. Islam does not allow this kind of illegal wives.


5. A woman can put a bar in her marriage contract that husband can't take another wife. In that case , her husband must divorce her first ; so that she does not have share him with other wife.


6. Pl. keep in mind that Islam is a practical religion. The fact is man made law pushing men to go for adultery . Many men are not satistfied with one wife; so they are having unethical relationships . Many women are sharing husband with UNLIMITED illegal wives . When Muslim women
( not all ) are sharing husband with limited legal wives.


God commanded us to avoid illegal affairs. So , allowed polygamy if necessary . those who are happy with 1 wife , u don't have to go for other wife .....Islam does not say so ;


so , why the unnecessay criticism ?

 

[AbuAbdallah]

salaam,

I think the only cases where it would be distressing for a woman to work would be if she was mixing with men, or if she was sending the kids to a babysitter.